Is Your Country Double Landlocked? It's Highly Unlikely!

Double Landlocked countries are places you must cross at least two national borders to reach a coastline connected to the world’s oceans. In this episode we talk about the nuances of landlocked definitions (including why the Caspian Sea doesn’t count) and identify the only two double landlocked countries: Liechtenstein, surrounded by Switzerland and Austria, and Uzbekistan, surrounded by landlocked “stans.” The conversation expands into why ports and sea access matter for trade and geopolitics. We also explore controversial definitions for landlocked US states (including Nebraska as “triple landlocked”), distances from the sea in Britain and China, disputed borders, recursive islands, and a Google Maps oddity between the Shetlands and Faroe Islands. It's definitely one for maps and geography nerds!References: Tom mentions Tim Marshall's book, Prisoners of GeographyJono also references some of his other sketches: Recursive Islands and Triple Landlocked StatesWe also reference the previous podcast episode on Antipodes for how so much of the Earth is water. Episode Summary:00:00 What Double Landlocked Means04:17 The Only Two Countries05:45 Caspian Sea and Definitions06:53 Recursive Borders in UAE08:33 Why Ports Matter12:13 Bolivia and Africa Surprise13:52 Distance From the Sea18:02 Landlocked US States Debate25:23 More Geography Oddities28:48 Shetlands to Faroes Map Quirk30:06 Closing Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.